NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
56 reportsClear category filter43,000 miles · Feb 3, 2004
Electrical SystemFuel System, Other
SINCE PURCHASING THE 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER, LET ME TELL YOU, IT HAS TRULY BEEN LIKE A ROCK THROWN IN THE WATER. LESS THAN 3000 MILES ON THE CAR AND I HAD TO BRING THE CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CAR ALMOST DIED ON ME ON THE ROAD WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN ACROSS TWO LANES OF TRA…
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SINCE PURCHASING THE 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER, LET ME TELL YOU, IT HAS TRULY BEEN LIKE A ROCK THROWN IN THE WATER. LESS THAN 3000 MILES ON THE CAR AND I HAD TO BRING THE CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CAR ALMOST DIED ON ME ON THE ROAD WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN ACROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC. I WAS LATE FOR WORK, AND I WAS STUCK IN THE WAL-MART PARKING LOT FOR FOUR HOURS. I FINALLY GOT OVER THAT. OF COURSE, I DIDN'T TAKE OUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, WHICH IF I HAD KNOWN THAT WHEN I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE THAT I WAS GETTING A LEMON, I DEFINITELY WOULD HAVE BEEN A TRUE SOUR PUSS AND BOUGHT A FORD. RECENTLY I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL, NOT ONLY DOES IT NOT GET GOOD GAS MILEAGE THAT IT SHOULD, I WAS RECENTLY TOLD THAT THE FUEL PUMP INSIDE THE GAS TANK FAILED. $643.77 LATER, I HAVE MY LEMON BACK, AFTER NOT HAVING A CAR FOR WORK FOR A FULL WEEK. THE DEALERSHIPS AROUND MY AREA WERE SOLD OUT OF THE FUEL PUMPS, WHEN TALKING TO SEVERAL PARTS SALESMAN, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD A RUN ON FUEL PUMPS DUE TO THEIR FAILURES, THEY SELL SEVERAL PER WEEK. HUH, IMAGINE THAT? I HAVE 43,000 MILES AND MY WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 36,000. WHAT I AM SUPPOSE TO DO WITH MY LEMON? MY WIFE IS SCARED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, NOT ONLY BECAUSE IT HAS STALLED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT BECAUSE IT IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. HOPEFULLY SOMETHING CAN BE DONE IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO CORRECT THIS DEFECT. I AM ASKING THAT THE GOVERNMENT RECALLS THESE VEHICLES FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. I KNOW THE FUEL PUMP IS THE SAME GENUINE CHEVROLET PART THAT WAS IN THERE TO BEGIN WITH. CAN I DEPEND ON THIS? HOPEFULLY, SOMEONE WILL FOLLOW UP ON THIS AND CALL ME SO I CAN REALLY EXPRESS HOW I FEEL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10056457
50,500 miles · Oct 23, 2003
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING ALL WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THIS CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL. DEALER REPLACED THE BODY CONTROL MODULE TWICE, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10044650
Mileage unknown · May 6, 2003
Electrical System
DEFECTIVE BATTERY CAUSED LEAKING ON ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS CAUSING BURNING AND DAMAGE. GM MECHANIC STATED COMMON PROBLEM WITH FACTORY BATTERIES. GM HQ WILL NOT AGREE TO REPLACE NOR COMPENSATE FOR DAMAGES OR REPAIRS. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10017113
Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2003
Electrical SystemFire
ENGINE WIRING HARNESS STARTED ON FIRE CAUSING SMOKE TO POUR OUT OF THE ENGINE AND DAMAGE TO THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS AND OTHER CABLES WITHIN THE ENGINE. THE WIRES CONTINUED TO BURN UNTIL THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10016633
16,000 miles · Mar 13, 2003
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
THE CAR DIES WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE, THE HEADLIGHTS GO DIM WHEN PUTTING ON THE BRAKES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND ARE GETTING STUCK HALF WAY UP THE WINDSHIELD. THE CAR ALSO ACCELERATES EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE NOT TOUCHING THE GAS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10010413
44,896 miles · Jan 1, 2003
Electrical System
CIGARETTE LIGHTER SHOOTING SPARKS, BLOWING FUSES, DAMAGED CELL PHONE CHARGER
NHTSA ODI #10000452
Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2002
Electrical SystemInterior LightingService Brakes, Hydraulic
THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE DRUMS AND ROTORS WORE EXCESSIVELY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE TRUNK LIGHT REMAINED ON ALTHOUGH THE TRUNK WAS SHUT. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS DRAWING TOO MUCH POWER AND CAUSED THE BATTERY TO BECOME DRAINED. *TS *NLM
NHTSA ODI #8021535
Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2002
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicVisibility
CONSUMER HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED DUE TO FAILURE OF THE TURN SIGNALS AND BRAKE LIGHTS, CONSUMER ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, HOWEVER THEY DID NOT AND ONLY REPLACED A BURNED OUT FUSE, 9 DAYS LATER THE CONSUMER AND HER SON WERE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED ON A DRY ROAD AT APPROXIM…
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CONSUMER HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED DUE TO FAILURE OF THE TURN SIGNALS AND BRAKE LIGHTS, CONSUMER ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, HOWEVER THEY DID NOT AND ONLY REPLACED A BURNED OUT FUSE, 9 DAYS LATER THE CONSUMER AND HER SON WERE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED ON A DRY ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND SPUN AROUND, HITTING A GUARDRAIL HEAD ON, THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, ONE PERSON WAS INJURED, CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS ELECTRICAL RELATED AND FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE PROPERLY BEEN SERVICED AT THE TIME OF THE FAULTY TURN SIGNALS. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #566616
Mileage unknown · May 2, 2002
Air BagsElectrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
AT 55 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKE, VEHICLE VIBRATED AND CONSUMER LOST CONTROL WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE SPUN AROUND, HIT A GUARDRAIL HEAD ON, THEN SKIDDED 35 YARDS DOWN A EMBANKMENT. PASSENGER SUFFERED BACK INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED HOWEVER THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, THE ABS DID NOT WORK AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL I…
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AT 55 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKE, VEHICLE VIBRATED AND CONSUMER LOST CONTROL WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE SPUN AROUND, HIT A GUARDRAIL HEAD ON, THEN SKIDDED 35 YARDS DOWN A EMBANKMENT. PASSENGER SUFFERED BACK INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED HOWEVER THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, THE ABS DID NOT WORK AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL IT HIT THE GUARDRAIL AND SKID 35 YARDS DOWN THE GUARDRAIL, THE TURN SUGNAL FAILED DUE TO A BLOWN FUSE. *JB *NLM
NHTSA ODI #8008997
Mileage unknown · May 2, 2002
Air BagsElectrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
AT 55 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKE, VEHICLE VIBRATED AND CONSUMER LOST CONTROL WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE SPUN AROUND, HIT A GUARDRAIL HEAD ON, THEN SKIDDED 35 YARDS DOWN A EMBANKMENT. PASSENGER SUFFERED BACK INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED YET THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, THE ABS SYSTEM DID NOT WORK AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTI…
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AT 55 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKE, VEHICLE VIBRATED AND CONSUMER LOST CONTROL WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE SPUN AROUND, HIT A GUARDRAIL HEAD ON, THEN SKIDDED 35 YARDS DOWN A EMBANKMENT. PASSENGER SUFFERED BACK INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED YET THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, THE ABS SYSTEM DID NOT WORK AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL IT HIT THE GUARDRAIL AND SKID 35 YDS DOWN THE GUARDRAIL, THE TURN SUGNAL FAILED DUE TO A BLOWN FUSE. *JB *NLM
NHTSA ODI #8008995
NHTSA investigations
2EA02028 · Erratic Fuel Gauge
Opened Sep 30, 2002 · Closed Dec 30, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Other:storage:fuel Gauge System
ODI OPENED EA 02-028 TO REVIEW COMPLAINTS OF CONSUMERS REPORTING THAT THEIR FUEL GAUGE WAS INCORRECTLY DISPLAYING THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE GAS TANK.THE FUEL GAUGE RECEIVES AN ELECTRICAL SIGNAL FROM A FUEL TANK SENDING SENSOR CIRCUIT CARD.A FLOAT ARM IN THE TANK MOVES ELECTRICAL CONTACTS THAT RUB AGAINST THE CARD AS THE LEVEL OF FUEL RISES AND FALLS.DISRUPTION OF THE ELECTRICAL SIGNAL (SUCH AS CAUSED BY CORROSION OF THE CIRCUIT CARD) WILL CAUSE INCORRECT READINGS TO REGISTER ON THE FUEL GAUGE.GM REPORTED IN THEIR RESPONSE TO ODI DATED JANUARY 13, 2003 THAT THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE OPERATION IS EXCESS ELEMENTAL SULFUR IN FUEL.GM REPORTED THAT ABNORMAL LEVELS OF SULFUR SPORADICALLY OCCURRED IN CERTAIN PARTS OF CANADA AND THE U.S. RESULTING IN REPORTS OF FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION.GM MODIFIED THE SENDING SENSOR FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER OCTOBER 2000.IT MADE A SECOND SENSOR MODIFICATION FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER JANUARY 2003.GM ALSO ISSUED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN (GM NUMBER 00101) IN DECEMBER 2000 FOR U.S. CUSTOMERS IN THE STATE OF MAINE AND ISSUED SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS INFORMING DEALERS OF THE AVAILABILITY OF SENSORS WITH IMPROVED CORROSION RESISTANCE.THE COMPLAINT TREND INDICATES THAT COMPLAINTS PEAKED IN LATE 2000 TO EARLY 2001.WARRANTY CLAIMS DECLINED SINCE PEAKING IN APRIL 2002.BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND THE INDICATION OF A DECLINING TREND, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Fuel System, Gasoline
ODI OPENED EA 02-028 TO REVIEW COMPLAINTS OF CONSUMERS REPORTING THAT THEIR FUEL GAUGE WAS INCORRECTLY DISPLAYING THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE GAS TANK.THE FUEL GAUGE RECEIVES AN ELECTRICAL SIGNAL FROM A FUEL TANK SENDING SENSOR CIRCUIT CARD.A FLOAT ARM IN THE TANK MOVES ELECTRICAL CONTACTS THAT RUB AGAINST THE CARD AS THE LEVEL OF FUEL RISES AND FALLS.DISRUPTION OF THE ELECTRICAL SIGNAL (SUCH AS CAUSED BY CORROSION OF THE CIRCUIT CARD) WILL CAUSE INCORRECT READINGS TO REGISTER ON THE FUEL GAUGE.GM REPORTED IN THEIR RESPONSE TO ODI DATED JANUARY 13, 2003 THAT THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE OPERATION IS EXCESS ELEMENTAL SULFUR IN FUEL.GM REPORTED THAT ABNORMAL LEVELS OF SULFUR SPORADICALLY OCCURRED IN CERTAIN PARTS OF CANADA AND THE U.S. RESULTING IN REPORTS OF FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION.GM MODIFIED THE SENDING SENSOR FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER OCTOBER 2000.IT MADE A SECOND SENSOR MODIFICATION FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER JANUARY 2003.GM ALSO ISSUED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN (GM NUMBER 00101) IN DECEMBER 2000 FOR U.S. CUSTOMERS IN THE STATE OF MAINE AND ISSUED SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS INFORMING DEALERS OF THE AVAILABILITY OF SENSORS WITH IMPROVED CORROSION RESISTANCE.THE COMPLAINT TREND INDICATES THAT COMPLAINTS PEAKED IN LATE 2000 TO EARLY 2001.WARRANTY CLAIMS DECLINED SINCE PEAKING IN APRIL 2002.BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND THE INDICATION OF A DECLINING TREND, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Fuel System, Other:storage:fuel Gauge System
ODI OPENED EA 02-028 TO REVIEW COMPLAINTS OF CONSUMERS REPORTING THAT THEIR FUEL GAUGE WAS INCORRECTLY DISPLAYING THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE GAS TANK.THE FUEL GAUGE RECEIVES AN ELECTRICAL SIGNAL FROM A FUEL TANK SENDING SENSOR CIRCUIT CARD.A FLOAT ARM IN THE TANK MOVES ELECTRICAL CONTACTS THAT RUB AGAINST THE CARD AS THE LEVEL OF FUEL RISES AND FALLS.DISRUPTION OF THE ELECTRICAL SIGNAL (SUCH AS CAUSED BY CORROSION OF THE CIRCUIT CARD) WILL CAUSE INCORRECT READINGS TO REGISTER ON THE FUEL GAUGE.GM REPORTED IN THEIR RESPONSE TO ODI DATED JANUARY 13, 2003 THAT THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE OPERATION IS EXCESS ELEMENTAL SULFUR IN FUEL.GM REPORTED THAT ABNORMAL LEVELS OF SULFUR SPORADICALLY OCCURRED IN CERTAIN PARTS OF CANADA AND THE U.S. RESULTING IN REPORTS OF FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION.GM MODIFIED THE SENDING SENSOR FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER OCTOBER 2000.IT MADE A SECOND SENSOR MODIFICATION FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER JANUARY 2003.GM ALSO ISSUED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN (GM NUMBER 00101) IN DECEMBER 2000 FOR U.S. CUSTOMERS IN THE STATE OF MAINE AND ISSUED SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS INFORMING DEALERS OF THE AVAILABILITY OF SENSORS WITH IMPROVED CORROSION RESISTANCE.THE COMPLAINT TREND INDICATES THAT COMPLAINTS PEAKED IN LATE 2000 TO EARLY 2001.WARRANTY CLAIMS DECLINED SINCE PEAKING IN APRIL 2002.BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND THE INDICATION OF A DECLINING TREND, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
SQ01002 · Erratic Fuel Gauge
Opened Jan 26, 2001 · Closed Sep 30, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
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